Neurodemocracy: Self-Organization of the Embodied Mind

Abstract

My thesis contributes to a better understanding of how self-organized control works. I begin by analyzing the control problem. I argue that the two prominent solutions offered by classical cognitive sciences (centralized control with rich commands) and embodied cognitive sciences (distributed control with simple commands) are merely two positions in a two-dimensional solution space. I outline two alternative positions: distributed control with rich commands and centralized control with simple commands. My goal is to develop a hybrid account that combines the latter alternative position and that of the embodied cognitive sciences. Before developing my account, I discuss the challenges of the first three. This discussion results in the criteria for successful control mechanisms. Then, I develop my account through analyzing neuroscientific models of decision-making and control with the theoretical lenses provided by formal decision and social choice theories. I contend that neural processes can be modeled as a collective of agents, and neural self-organization is analogous to democratic self-governance. In particular, I show that the basal ganglia contribute to the production of thoughts and behaviors through implementing “democratic" procedures. Unlike the Fodorian central system—which is a micro-managing “neural commander-in-chief”—the basal ganglia are a “central election commission.” They delegate control of habitual behaviors to distributed control mechanisms. Yet, when novel problems arise, they engage and determine the result on the basis of simple information (the votes) from across the system with the principles of neurodemocracy, and control with simple commands of inhibition and disinhibition. By managing the wisdom-of-the-crowd effect, these democratic processes enhance the intelligence and coherence of the mind’s final "collective" decisions. I end by defending this account from criticisms and showing that it meets the criteria for successful solution.